Firstly, I grew up in a 1792 farmhouse in Upstate New York. Although it was a beautiful area with a rich history and stunning landscapes, I never felt like it was my place, so my adult life took me on many adventures across the country. Now, I live in Central Oregon with my family, right on the edge of the Deschutes National Forest, where we witness a herd of 200 elk migrating through the forest every morning and evening. I also foster two horses through a local rescue called Equine Outreach.

One of my favorite quotes is “Create what causes a revolution in your heart,” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I find inspiration all around me, from the forests, rivers, and mountains to the folklore stories and the wonder in my two little girls’ eyes. Speaking of which, the inspiration for my new collection comes from my daughter Lyra’s first year of Forest School. The idea is to bring the beauty of nature, represented by leaves, twigs, branches, and birds, into our homes.  

As an artist, I’ve faced numerous struggles, from breaking through creative barriers to fighting past self-limiting beliefs. But the thing I’m most proud of is choosing a path of creativity and abundance that shows my daughters they can do anything they set their minds to. After a long day, you’ll likely find me outside, enjoying a good book with my husband and a tried-and-true Old Fashioned cocktail. Lastly, I’d like to share my top five favorite books of all time: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, His Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman (especially The Golden Compass, which is where we got our daughter’s name), Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Little Women by Luisa May Alcott, and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.